Reamer



Dec. 6, 1938.L D. s. ANTHQNY REAMER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1935 M Z. mA/f,

. z/J w ATTORNEY.

Dec. 6, 1938-; D. sNTHoNY 2,138,897 l REAMER Filed DeC. 23, 1955 I. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w20 iwf/.Z5

ATT EY.

Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES I13ans? PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in reamers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved reamer having its cutting blades arranged to undergo maximum expansion, whereby the reamer is adapted to be employed in reaming various size holes.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved reamer having an adjusting means for quickly varying the diameter of the cutting blades, with a second adjusting means for making a ne adjustment of said blades to exactly t the hole to be reamed.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved reamer having expansible cutters with means for forcing said cutters outwardly in a radial direction to expand the same into Contact with the surface to be reamed; the cutters being so mounted that the expansible portion thereof may be increased in diameter, whereby when the expanding means has moved the cutters to their limit, the diameter of the expansible portion may be varied to increase this limit to permit further expansion of the cutters, thereby providing a reamer adaptable for reamlng holes of a wide variation in size.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved reamer having a plurality of individual cutter blades which are supported only at their ends, whereby if one of said blades becomes broken, the remaining blades may be equally spaced peripherally around the reamer and eflicient reaming accomplished.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved reamer wherein the cutter blades are bowed or bent outwardly into engagement with the wall to be reamed, with means for preventing excessive bending of said blades to hold the iiexure of said blades within safe limits, which prevents breaking thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved reamer wherein the cutter blades are supported at their upper and lower end, being free from support otherwise, whereby a central mandrel or support for the blades is eliminated, and also whereby the positions of the blades with relation to each other may be readily shifted to prevent chattering of the reamer in the hole, which is not possible with the usual type reamer having its blades spaced equidistant from each other and xed in such position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cutter blade for a reamer having its cutting edge undercut so as to facilitate the clearing of chips and shavings from the blade,

and to provide a clearance for abrasives; also, the undercutting of said edge permits said edge to be honed when worn.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading ofthe following speciiication and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a reamer, constructed in accordance with the invention, and show- I ing the cutter blades in a normal position,

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure l, showing the blades in an expanded position, v

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional View of said reamer,

Figure i is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is an elevation of the outer side of one of the cutter blades,

Figure '7 is an elevation of the inner side thereof,

Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional View of the cutter blades, showing the same in their contracted position,

Figure 9 is a similar View, showing the blades expanded,

Figure 10 is an `elevation of the reamer having spiral cutting blades mounted therein,

Figure 11 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view of another form of cutting blades showing the same contracted, f

Figure 12 is a View, similar to Figure 11, showing still another form of the blades, and

Figure 13 is a sectional View of a portion of a further modified form of the invention.

In the drawings, the numeral I designates an elongated sleeve which has an axial bore H extending therethrough. The upper end of the bore is provided withV coarse screw-threads l2. The bore is enlarged just below the termination of said threads, whereby an internal annular shoulderY i3 is formed Within said bore. The extreme lower end of the bore is flared outwardly towards its lower end, as is clearly shown in Figure 3 and this flared portion of the bore is provided with iine screw-threads i3'. The sleeve may be made of any suitable metal and forms the upper supporting member of the reamer.

A similar sleeve i4 is provided at the lower end of said reamer and is positioned inversely 55 to the upper sleeve IU. The construction of the lower sleeve is the same as that of the upper sleeve, being provided with coarse screwthreads I5 at its lower end, an annular internal shoulder I6 just above said threads, and having the upper end of its bore flared outwardly and formed with fine screw-threads I'I.

Mounted between the sleeves IIB and I4 are the cutter blades I8 of the reamer. The particular mounting of these blades in the sleeves is an important feature of the invention. It will be obvious that each blade is in itself a single unit, the plurality of blades being disposed peripherally within the sleeve. One of the blade units is clearly shown in Figures 6 and 'l and, as is obvious by observing these figures, each blade unit is provided with double cutting edges I 9 and 2l! on their outer face. The blade units are elongated and are provided with tapered screw-threads 2| at their upper end and similar screw-threads 22 at their lower end. The threads 2| are adapted to fit the threads I3 within the lower end of the bore of the upper sleeve I0, while the lower threads 22 are arrangedto engage the threads II at the upper end of the tapered bore of the sleeve I4. The blade units may be made in any suitable manner but it has been found expedient to form all the blades together and then cut the same longitudinally so as to form the individual units. In this way, the threads may be formed on the ends of said blade prior to the separation into individual units, which will assure the thread tting into the threaded bore of each sleeve. By forming the blades in this manner, it will be obvious that the sleeve I0 may be screwed downwardly onto the tapered threaded portion 2| at the upper end of the blade and the sleeve I4 may be screwed onto the lower end or threaded portion 22 of the same, whereby the blades are securely mounted between the sleeves I0 and I4. Thus, it will be seen that the sleeves I0 and I4 and the blades comprise the reamer.

Due to the fact that the inner end of the bore of each sleeve is ilared, and also due to the tapered portions 2| and 22 of the blade units which engage in said bore, it will be obvious that the position of the threaded portion within said bore will control to a certain extent the radial expansion of the blade I8. That is, if the sleeve lll is screwed downwardly onto the upper threaded portion 2| of the blade as lfar as is possible, and the lower sleeve I4 is screwed upwardly onto the lower portion 22 of the blade as far as is possible, then it will be obvious that the outer longitudinal surface 'of the cutting edges I9 and 20 will be moved substantially into vertical alignment with the outer surface of the sleeves I0 and I4. However, if only the extreme outer ends of the threaded portions 2| and 22 of the blade units engage in their respective sleeves, then it will be seen that the longitudinal cutting edges I9 and 20 will be located outwardly, or expanded radially, as is shown in Figure 2. Therefore, it will be seen that the particular position of the threaded portions 2| and 22 of the blade units within the sleeve will control to some degree the radial position of the cutter blades. Therefore, by varying the position of the threaded portions within said sleeve, it is obvious that the cutting edges of the blades may be moved outwardly or inwardly in a radial direction. In this manner, it will be seen that the blades may be adjusted to fit holes of various diameters.

Since the blades I8 are formed in individual units which are not connected to each other, a

means for holding the threaded portions 2| and 22 within their respective sleeves must be provided. For maintaining the portion 2| of the individual blade unit within the upper sleeve I0 an elongated shank 23 is threaded through the upper end of the sleeve II), the threads of this shank engaging the threads I2 formed in the upper end of the bore of said sleeve. The ex treme upper end of the shank is squared so as to receive a wrench socket whereby the shank may be turned. The lower end of said shank is tapered as shown at 24 and the inclination of this taper is complementary to the inner surface 2| of the threaded portion 2| of each blade unit. Thus, by observing Figure 3, it will be seen that the shank 23, when screwed downwardly through the sleeve I0 has its lower end engaging the inner surface of each blade unit. Due to the taper 24 of this lower end, it will be obvious that said taper serves to force the upper end of each blade unit outwardly, whereby the threaded portion 2| of the various lunits is held in Contact with the thread I3' formed within the flared portion of the bore of the sleeve I0. By loosening the shank 23 rotation of the sleeve to either screw or unscrew said sleeve on the threaded portion 2| of said unit is permitted. It will be obvious that the tapered portion 24 of the shank 23 serves to lock the blades within the sleeve IG in any desired position. It is also pointed out that the wrench socket may receive any suitable drive for rotating the entire reamer because after the tapered portion 24 has become wedged within the upper end of the blade unit, further rotation of the shank will rotate the entire reamer.

A similar shank 25 having its upper end tapered at 26 is arranged to engage within the lower end of the blade units in a similar way. By rotating the shank 25 to screw the same upwardly within the lower end of the blade units, as it will be seen that the tapered portion 26 thereof will securely lock the blade units in any desired position within the lower sleeve I4. Therefore, a reamer is provided wherein no central mandrel or support is necessary. The blades I8 are supported between the two sleeves III and I4 and variations in the diameter of the blades |8 is accomplished by the particular position of the ends of said blades within said sleeve. It is further noted that since each blade is an individual unit in itself that in the event one of said blades should break it is only necessary to replace the' single blade. In some cases if a replacement is not desired the remaining blades may be positioned equidist'ant around the reamer, and successful reaming may' be done. Furth-er, it has been found that in operation a reamer is subject to chattering. This chattering is caused by the fact that the blades of said reamer are spaced equidistant peripherally around a mandrel. If chattering occurs in the reamer shown in the drawings, it is only necessary to rearrange the blades peripherally, whereby they are spaced unevenly within the sleeve.

It has been found in actual practice, that in reaming a particular size hole the sleeves I0 and I4 may first be adjusted to expand or contract the blades I8 so as to get the proper diameter, whereby the cutting edges I9 and 20 of each blade engage the surfaces of the hole to be reamed. It has been further found that additional expansion of the blades must be had to perform the reaming operation. To permit an additional expansion of the reamer blades after said blades have been substantiallyV adjusted to the proper diameter, a

conical expanding member 2l is provided. This 75 member is located within the series of blades I8 and is movable vertically therein. The upper end of said member is arranged to engage lugs 28 which are formed on the inner surface of each blade. Due to the conical shape of the upper end of said expanding member, it will be obvious by observing Figure 3, that an upward movement of said member will cause the blades to be expanded in a radial direction. Downward movement-of said member will, of course, retract said blades in a radial direction.

For moving the expanding member vertically within the blades I8, said member is carried by an elongated vertical rod 29 which extends through the bore IE which is formed axially in the shank 25. The extreme lower end of this bore is threaded at 3D, whereby an adjusting screw 3l may be threaded therethrough. The upper end of the adjusting screw is secured to the lower end of the vertical rod 29 and it will be obvious that by rotating the screw 3| through the shank 25 that the expanding member 21 will be moved vertically within the cutter blades I8. Thus, after the initial adjustment of the blades is made through the rotation or positioning of the sleeves I5 and I4 with relation thereto, further radial expansion of said blades may be `accomplished by rotating the screw 3I to move the member 21 between the lugs 28 which are formed on the inner surface of the blades. To retract the blades after they have been expanded, it is only necessary to rotate the screw 3l in a reversed direction, whereby said expanding member is lowered and the resiliency of the metallic cutter blades IB will cause them to move inwardly. The number of cutter blades which are provided is immaterial and as is clearly shown in Figure 5, I have shown four blades equally spaced around the reamer. As has been pointed out, each blade has two cutting edges I9 and 20. When the blades are in a normal contracted position, they will be engaging each other, as shown in Figure B. When expanded radially the blades will move outwardly as clearly shown in Figure 9. The particular construction of the blades is subject to variation and it would be possible to make them a number of ways and still obtain efficient results.

In Figures 11 and 12 I have shown other forms of reamer blades. These blades are shown in cross-section and as will be seen six and eight blades, instead of four, are provided. In this type of blade, said blade only has a single cutting edge 4D. The cutting edge is undercut as shown at 4I and this undercutting of the blade facilitates the tool clearing itself of chips and shavings. It also provides a clearance for abrasives and permits honing the cutting edges, because only a small portion of the cutting side is exposed to the cutting stone. 'Ihe angle between the lead edge cf one tooth is always a right angle with the trail edge of the other tooth, thus allowing a hone of rectangular shape to be used.

In Figures l to 9, the cutting blades I8 are provided with vertically extending cuttings edges I9 and 25. However, the invention is not to be limited to a vertically extending cutting edge on each blade for, as shown in Figure 10, these cutting edges may be spiral. In such case, the reaming operation would be performed just as efficiently. It might even be desirable in some cases to employ two cutter blades I8 having the straight vertical cutting edges and two blades having the spiral cutting edges so, therefore, the invention is not to be limited to any particular design of the cutting edge. It is pointed out that by varying the depth of penetration of the tapered screw-threaded ends 2l and 22 of the blades within the respective sleeves I0 and I4 that it would be possible to adjust the blades so that said blades would taper. That is, by screwing the lower end 22 of the blade completely within the lower sleeve I4, and by unscrewing the upper sleeve so that only the extreme upper end of the threaded portion 2l of the blade is engaging within the bore of said sleeve I Il, the upper portion of the blade would be expanded while the lower end thereof would be contracted. In such case, it would be obvious that the cutting edges would taper upwardly from the lower end of each blade to the upper end thereof. This would permit the reamer to be employed in reaming a tapered hole. 'I'he ready adjustment of the two sleeves would permit the blades to be adjusted so that their cutting edges would inclineatany degree of taper.

In using the reamer, the Shanks 23 and 25 are rst loosened to disengage the inner ends of the blades I8. The sleeves are then adjusted on the threaded ends 2| and 22 of said blades so that the diameter of the cutter blades is of a desired dimension. The shanks are then returned and Screwed inwardly to their original position so as to lock the blades in the proper position within said sleeve. The reamer is then entered into the hole to be reamed, and the adjustment of the screw 3l will move the expanding member to further expand the cutter to the exact degree desired. It is noted that there are two adjustments, first, the adjustment of the sleeves on the ends of the blades which readily and quickly varies the diameter thereof. Second, the fine adjustment obtained by the movement of the expanding member within the blades. It is further pointed out that the length of the threaded portions 2I and 22 and the inclination thereof is such that the diameter of the cutter blades may vary a considerable distance. Due to the adjustment which is permitted through the use of the sleeve, it is obvious that the conical member 21 will never expand the cutter blades beyond a safe limit because the movement of said blades caused by the expanding member is only slight at all times. The main variation in the diameter of said blades is accomplished through the sleeves I0 and I4 being screwed or unscrewed onto the tapered ends of said blades.

In Figure 13, I have shown a modified form of the invention. This form is adaptable in reaming holes of a smaller diameter and is provided with blades 35 having tapered ends 36 threaded into collars 37, only one of which is shown. The inner surface of the tapered end is threaded to receive the threaded tapered end 38 of a locking member 39. As said member isscrewed into the end of the blades, it will be seen that the ends of the blades are locked within the collar.

The operation of this form is exactly the same as the other form. Variation in the position of the ends of the blades within the collars varies the diameter of the blades. For further expanding the blades, an expanding member 2l is carried by a rod 29 which is threaded through the locking member 39.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An adjustable reamer comprising, an annularly grouped plurality of elongate, separate unitary blade elements, each element having like opposite end vportions tapered on their inner and outer sides, the inner tapered portions being concaved transversely and smooth-surfaced and the outer tapered portions being conoidal and screwthreaded, a pair of opposed like elongate confining and supporting sleeve members, each having an axial bore therethrough, a portion of the bore being flared towards the inner end of the member and having screw threads whereby to interttingly receive the screw-threaded outer tapered end portions of the blade elements, the bore continuing cylindrically from said ilared portion thereof to the outer end of the member and being screw-threaded, a pair of interchangeable elongate shank members of like external formation, each shank member having a screwthreaded cylindrical major portion to fit and work in the screw-threaded cylindrical bore portion of either of said sleeve members and a smooth-surfaced, correspondingly tapered end portion to wedgingly engage the inner tapered end portions of the blade elements conned in the sleeve member.

2. An adjustable reamer comprising, an annularly grouped plurality of elongate, inherently resilient, separate unitary blade elements, each element having like opposite end portions tapered on their inner and outer sides, the inner tapered portions being concaved transversely and smooth-surfaced and the outer tapered portions being conoidal and screw-threaded, and each element having a cam formation on its inner side substantially midway between its ends, a pair of opposed like elongate confining and supporting sleeve members, each having an axial bore therethrough, a portion of the bore being flared towards the inner end of the member and having screw threads whereby to interttingly receive the screw-threaded outer tapered end portions of the blade elements, the bore continuing cylindrically from said flared portion thereof to the outer end 0I" the member and being screw-threaded, a pair of interchangeable elongate shank members of like external formation, each shank member having a screw-threaded major portion to t and work in the screw-threaded cylindrical bore portion of either of said sleeve members and a smooth-surfaced, correspondingly tapered end portion to Wedgingly engage the inner tapered end portions of the blade elements conned in the sleeve member, one of said shank members having an axial bore therethrough, and a longitudinally adjustable expander element located within the group of blade elements in cooperative engaging relation to said cam formations of the blade elements and having an elongate supporting and manipulating stem portion extending through and having screw-threaded engagement in the axial bore of said shank member.

3. The herein shown and described reamer comprising, an annularly grouped plurality of elongate, inherently resilient, separate unitary blade elements having like opposite end portions tapered on their inner and outer sides, said elements having annularly opposed cam formations on their inner sides substantially midway between their ends, the assembled elements being extraneously supported with provisions for radially expansive and contractive adjustment at their ends but otherwise free of extraneous support throughout, the end supporting and adjusting means comprising a pair of opposed like elongate conning and supporting sleeve members, each having a flared bore portion to interttingly receive the outer tapered end portions of the assembled blade elements, a pair of interchangeable elongate shank members respectively cooperative through and with said sleeve members and each of said shank members having a tapered inner end portion to wedgingly engage the inner tapered end portions of the blade elements and thereby securely fasten the confined adjacent end of the adjusted b-lade assembly in the sleeve member, both of said shank members extending beyond the outer end of the sleeve members and one of the shank members having an axial bore, and an expander element located within the group of blade elements in cooperative engaging relation to said cam formations of the blade elements and having an elongate supporting and manipulating stem portion extending through and secured with provision for its longitudinal adjustment in the axial bore of said shank member.

DAVID S. ANTHONY. 

